The Shelby Report of the West recently visited with Merrick Rosner, Instacart’s head of revenue and solution sales, independent grocery, to learn more about the company’s e-commerce platform Storefront Pro. What is involved in training employees on how to use e-commerce platforms like Storefront Pro? Storefront Pro gives grocers of all sizes the ability to […]
Category: Finance News
Market moves, funding, earnings, and financial strategy across the grocery industry.
Food Lion Names Barton 2025 Store Manager Of The Year
Amelia Barton, store manager of the Food Lion at 2201 W. WT Harris Blvd. in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been named the grocer’s 2025 Ralph W. Ketner Store Manager Excellence Award winner. Barton was selected from more than 1,100 store managers across the retailer’s 10-state operating area. Named after one of Food Lion’s founders, the […]
Kroger Appoints Foran As CEO, Ends Interim Leadership
The Kroger Co. has appointed Greg Foran as CEO, effective immediately, ending Ron Sargent’s tenure as interim CEO that began in March 2025. Foran, who brings more than 40 years of experience leading large consumer businesses, will also join Kroger’s board of directors. The Cincinnati-based grocer made the announcement Feb. 9, following an extensive search […]
Vallarta Moving To Broader Appeal – ‘We’ve Got To Give Everybody Something’
In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]
Ingles Markets Reports 6.6% Sales Increase In Annual Report
Ingles Markets reported net sales of $1.37 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 ended Dec. 27, a 6.6 percent increase compared with $1.29 billion for the same period last year, the Asheville, North Carolina-based grocer announced Feb. 5. Net income totaled $28.1 million for the first quarter compared with $16.6 million for the […]
PFMA Applauds PA House Committee Vote On Swipe Fee Relief Bill
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association praised the Pennsylvania House Finance Committee for advancing House Bill 2090, legislation that would stop credit card companies from charging swipe fees on commonwealth sales tax. HB 2090 addresses an imbalance in the credit card marketplace where two payment networks control more than 80 percent of the market and impose […]
Grocery Development Continues Around Cities Across Arizona
As population and construction projects continue to grow in number in Arizona, the grocery industry is responding with growth of its own. Following is a roundup of some planned and recent store openings. On Jan. 12, Aldi announced its plans for 2026 and beyond, including 180 new stores as well as three new distribution centers. […]
Natural Products Expo West Celebrates 45th Anniversary
Natural Products Expo West returns March 3-6 to Anaheim, California, with new features and a keynote lineup designed to elevate the attendee experience as the show celebrates its 45th anniversary. The leading event for the organic and natural products industry will feature educational sessions and networking opportunities covering sustainability practices and market trends. New show […]
Tokyo Central Opens 15th U.S. Store In Emeryville, California
Tokyo Central, operated by Marukai Corporation, has opened its 15th U.S. location in Emeryville, California. The new store spans 40,635 square feet and includes a 1,625-square-foot sushi bar called Handroll Factory. It is Tokyo Central’s second Northern California location, adding to its network of 12 stores in California and two in Hawaii. Situated between Oakland […]
Lipari Foods Debuts Evolved Strategy, Brand Refresh As ‘Global Food Experts’
Warren, Michigan-based Lipari Foods has launched an evolved customer-first strategy, refreshed master brand identity, owned brand refresh, new insights publication and expanded retail services designed to help retailers navigate today’s faster-moving food landscape. The company is positioning itself as “Global Food Experts,” offering a refined, connected approach to bringing global and specialty foods to retail […]
FMI Applauds Congressional Passage Of Landmark PBM Reforms
FMI – The Food Industry Association applauded final passage of HR 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, by a 217-214 vote Feb. 3, securing the most consequential pharmacy benefit manager reforms to date and representing a major step forward for patients, pharmacies, employers and the communities they serve. “These bipartisan reforms represent a major step […]
Bringing Public Company Discipline To Longtime Family-Owned Business
In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]
Grocery Outlet Launches First Shoppable Livestream Series
Emeryville, California-based Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. will debut its first shoppable livestream series, “The Grocery Outlet Xtreme Value Stock Up Show,” on Facebook and Instagram at 12 p.m. PST/3 p.m. EST on Feb. 4. Designed to bring bargain hunting to shoppers’ screens, the series offers an interactive Treasure Hunt experience for customers to shop Grocery […]
C&S Wholesale Grocers Signs Supply Agreement With Sedano’s Supermarkets
Keene, New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers has signed an agreement with Sedano’s Supermarkets, becoming the primary supplier for the 32-store Hispanic grocery chain based in Hialeah, Florida. The deal includes distribution, transportation, procurement, merchandising and retail services for all Sedano’s locations, with C&S supplying an expansive assortment and mix. “We’re excited for our partnership with […]
Ridley’s Family Markets To Acquire Terrel’s Markets In UT
Ridley’s Family Markets, a family-owned grocery retailer serving the Intermountain West, has entered into an agreement to acquire Terrel’s Markets. The transaction is expected to close on or near the first week of April. All six Terrel’s Markets locations – in Fillmore, Gunnison, Mount Pleasant, Nephi, Payson and Santaquin, Utah – will transition to the […]
Rise Baking Co. Names McNeil As CEO
Rise Baking Co. has appointed Mark McNeil as CEO, succeeding Brian Zellmer, who led the Minneapolis-based manufacturer over the past five years. McNeil is a seasoned food and beverage executive with more than 30 years of cross-functional leadership experience across retail, foodservice and manufacturing. He most recently served as CEO of Shearer’s Foods, the largest […]
Publix Opens New Store In Locust Grove, GA
Publix opened a new store Jan. 28 in the Shops at Indian Creek, 4518 Hwy 42 S. in Locust Grove, Georgia. The 48,387-square-foot store features traditional departments, including a full-service deli counter with a variety of meats and cheeses, an international selection of olives, antipastos, hummus and more than 200 artisan cheeses from the United […]
NGA Honors Hugo’s Magnuson Nelson With Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
The National Grocers Association named Kristi Magnuson Nelson, president of Grand Forks, North Dakota-based Hugo’s Family Marketplace, as the 2026 recipient of the Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. One of the most prestigious honors in the independent grocery industry, the award honors the legacy of Zaucha, NGA’s first president and CEO, whose career was […]
How Independent Retailers Can Maximize Refrigeration Performance, Profitability
Independent retailers face tight budgets and rising operational costs. These pressures are felt even stronger these days as consumers remain hyper-focused on grocery prices and affordability. Refrigeration equipment – critical for merchandising fresh and frozen products – represents a significant investment for retailers. Getting the most out of that investment starts with investing in the […]
Relationship Advice For Independent Grocers
How many times have you had an interaction and left feeling misunderstood? Experts say, communication and finances are the top downfalls in relationships. Now you may be thinking, this only applies in our personal lives. Your relationship with shoppers could be suffering here as well. For example, Craig never buys chocolate and is not likely […]
